Aided by good weather, South Carolina’s 2014 watermelon crop recorded a robust gain of 64 percent over last year’s total, according to a National Watermelon Report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As production ended in early August, the state had shipped almost 81 million pounds of seeded and seedless watermelons.

Yakima, WA-based Holtzinger Fruit Co. recently welcomed retail and produce sales veteran Paul Montmeny to its team as sales manager.

Montmeny brings over 25 years of experience in the apple/berry industry to Holtzinger. He has a diverse background of experience in marketing and selling apples, with successes in international and domestic program development.

Heather Cox is back with a new lineup of weekly videos and contests that are scoring big points with college football and Idaho potato fans across the country. The popular college football sideline reporter and Boise resident was recruited by the Idaho Potato Commission last year to help promote Idaho potatoes during the fall season, one of the heaviest buying periods for the brand.

BENSON, NC — The 2014 North Carolina sweet potato harvest was wrapping up in early November — 86 percent complete, according to the North Carolina Agribusiness Council — and back to normal proportions and of high quality, according to the head of the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission and several growers.

Bi-Lo Holdings, parent company of Bi-Lo, Harveys and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is enhancing customers' data security by supporting Apple Pay across its entire Southeast footprint. The new payment option will also make checkout faster and more convenient for customers.

Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc. announced that its first state-of-the-art Canadian distribution center, which opened in January, is now being complemented by the opening of a fresh-cut facility in Oshawa, ON. The facility services the Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa metropolitan areas with fresh produce.